Battery powered chainsaws


 
Timothy F. Lewis said:
Just sent you a PM but, really this is a fair public question. What is battery life like?
And which battery pack?
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Honestly have not put it through it's paces. I toyed with it last fall but really did not have time or need to really use it hard. I will be reporting back. I expect if it performs like my other DeWalt stuff I will be really pleased though
 
Something to consider. Home Depot rents chainsaws - gas, electric and battery powered. They put a brand new chain on and provide the fuel and bar oil.
 
I have the EGO 14", and it serves my needs very well, from several times a year trimmings, to clearing out shooting lanes for deer hunting, and cleaning up after the many wind storms that we have each year. My 16" gas chainsaw is still idle for several years now, filled with Trufuel, and I haven't missed it at all. Not to say that the battery ones will completely take the place of a gas saw, but for what I need it for it mostly does.
 
I would not darken HD doors if they were the last people on earth!
Thanks for the suggestion Larry, just ordered the saw charger and a pair of batteries.
Its not something that will get a million hours use over the course of the rest of my life but, I have buddies in the trades and they are fairly well pleased with the DeWalt tools that they have. So, this will be used in some very traditional ways as well as some “lower cutting“ projects.
Thanks for the suggestions and commentary, I feel pretty good about the purchase.
 
You will find several changes using a pole trimmer down low. I invented a weird grip with mine where I hold the trigger with my thumb or something like that because the balance is a little "unusual". Safety is of course on you. I feel a little inherently safer standing farther from the chain, but you are giving up some of the kickback protections of a normal saw. Just be careful.
 
Maybe for the low stuff, I tempt a neighbor with cocktails and feasting! a couple of the saplings shouldn't be too precarious but there is one that is really irksome!
That reminds me Fletch, I. Really sorry that you aren’t coming this way anymore, we had a sausage fest last night with a bunch of “Youze Guys” treats! If you’re ever up this way, bring your chainsaw! We will trim and feast!
 
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I think you will like it Tim. I have been VERY pleased with my DeWalt tools. I am gradually moving all my powered stuff away from air as well. Just bought a pair of really nice DeWalt impact wrenches. A 3/8" and a 1/2". Got a deal that (well I think fell off the truck) but still could not resist for the $$$$ One of these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HW8XD6T/?tag=tvwb-20 and one of these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HVXKJF6/?tag=tvwb-20 for $200. They will be put to very good use this spring as I go through a ton of stuff on the Kubota.
I also have a Bosch 1/2" 20V brushless impact but the anvil and switch are getting a little "long in the tooth" but it rips things apart like nobody's business.
Also have the 20V DeWalt leaf blower. Great unit. and the 20V DeWalt grease gun to hit the 20+ fittings on that same Kubota. I also have a lot of Bosch tools and honestly would have stayed with all Bosch if I could have found a leaf blower, pole saw and grease gun from them. So I have a healthy mix of Bosch and DeWalt. I have met a lot of contractors who use both brands and love them. So I just might have to spring for a regular DeWalt chain saw
 
For a pole saw, I strongly prefer the manual version to the powered ones.

Costco currently selling a 16 foot Fiskars for $50 bucks. When that blade is sharp, you could deforest your entire yard in a couple hours. Perfect tool for that job.

For a small chainsaw, I think they all are pretty good. If you are new to the battery stuff, the main consideration is to pick a brand that has other tools that you like. I started with an Ego lawn mower, which is excellent. So I now have added an Ego leaf blower, weed whacker, hedge trimmer and small chain saw.
 
Timothy F. Lewis said:
Maybe for the low stuff, I tempt a neighbor with cocktails and feasting! a couple of the saplings shouldn't be too precarious but there is one that is really irksome!
That reminds me Fletch, I. Really sorry that you aren’t coming this way anymore, we had a sausage fest last night with a bunch of “Youze Guys” treats! If you’re ever up this way, bring your chainsaw! We will trim and feast!
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I often wish my travels still took me in your direction; it would be awesome to enjoy a nice meal with you!
 
Jim C in Denver said:
For a pole saw, I strongly prefer the manual version to the powered ones.

Costco currently selling a 16 foot Fiskars for $50 bucks. When that blade is sharp, you could deforest your entire yard in a couple hours. Perfect tool for that job.

For a small chainsaw, I think they all are pretty good. If you are new to the battery stuff, the main consideration is to pick a brand that has other tools that you like. I started with an Ego lawn mower, which is excellent. So I now have added an Ego leaf blower, weed whacker, hedge trimmer and small chain saw.
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I have one of those. It's ok but slow and really not much good for anything but really small stuff I always see or read how you're supposed to make 2 cuts to remove a branch or limb. With that Fiskars it's impossible. You have to go only from the top and than the branch breaks off not "cut" off. Also to get the leverage necessary (at least for me) I have had too many drop on my head :D
 
I have to agree on that $40 Harbor Freight unit.
I am on my second because my mom wanted me to give her mine :).
Those darn things keep on kicking.

I have had this one for maybe 5-6 years.
Mom has had hers a bit longer and uses the heck out of it.

No crazy pulling.
No fuel mess.
No hassles.

I have 4 or so chainsaws close to 1,000 trees and still find use for this cheap ole saw.
 
The pruning saw just arrived, batteries will get here tomorrow, I hope. That means I can tidy up some of the trees over the course of next weekend. Damn, I was hoping to sit on my buns and smoke something on the WSM! I suppose I could be I just had a request to do something specific by the grand children so, the smoker gets the weekend off. Even if grandpa does not!
 
And here's a totally random thought in support of batter powered chainsaws.

I go canoeing in wetlands, swamps and small rivers where the banks will erode and trees often fall sideways across the water, making it difficult to navigate a canoe or kayak through for months. A small chainsaw that is easy to start from an unstable boat without dickering with a choke, recoil starter, etc. would be ideal for keeping these routes passable for everyone.
 
I suppose it might theoretically be illegal, but I don't think I care. Other people (presumably some of them are state/county employees or affiliated volunteers) do it. I don't see any harm to the nature. Zero chance of getting caught, anyway.

Our local politics is about making the waterways healthier and more accessible to the public by cleaning up, building ramps, letting people onto the reservoirs, demolishing old dams, etc.

You make a fascinating point though, because sections of the Passaic River through the Great Swamp fall under the jurisdiction of two different New Jersey counties as well as a federal wildlife refuge. There are actually little signs on poles in/near the water telling you when you cross jurisdictions.
 
They might impound everything that got you to a waterway in Michigan. “It’s not nice to fool with Mother Nature” around here, regardless of intent. As for “Zero chance” I’d not test that too hard anymore, everyone has some kind of camera anymore.
 
Like I said a simple call to the DNR. My experience with DNR everywhere I have had encounters with them (WI, MN, IL, MI) is they are always polite, willing to answer questions and very helpful. YMMV. Yeah they are "cops" but with a different mission. Odds are, they would welcome the help
 
The greatest wife ever told me that she thought I should get the chainsaw too so, with the courtesy of Amazon, the 12” saw came a day early (about an hour ago) and I filled the founts on both the pruner and the straight saw ane gave them a test run on a couple of things that needed to “go away”! The RR tie was dispatched in about ten minutes including getting it to a “heading out for junk day” pile. Then, the pruner had it first test run, did away with a miserable mulberry tree (stump with new growth) and cleaned up some other yard junk very handily. I’m impressed, so far. Not too heavy, the balance point on the pruner is right for what it’s intended for (not quite right for some of what was cleaned up today) but, it will be great for cleaning up some on the maple tree out front and so forth.
thanks for the input folks and I guess I’m a member of the DeWalt family now. Let see, I could use a new drill…
 
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